Program Overview
The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program prepares experienced acute care nurses to manage care of the pediatric patient and their family from birth to 21 years of age in a changing health care system. Emphasis is on the management of acute, complex, chronic, and unstable pediatric illness. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners practice within acute care settings including hospitals, long term care facilities, emergency departments, and specialty clinics. Graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the Board of Nursing and to take the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner National Certification Exam offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
This program provides a background to:
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Assume leadership as a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to provide healthcare to children and their families in a variety of secondary and tertiary health care settings.
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Provide pediatric care and case management for pediatric patients and their families through management of acute, chronic, complex, and unstable illness.
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Use research and theoretical knowledge in implementing therapies that restore health, minimize complications, reduce risk factors and improve the growth and development of the child.
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Develop interprofessional and collaborative relationships to address health problems related to economic, psychosocial, cultural and environmental factors in the quality improvement of health care delivery to the pediatric population.
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Coordinate the acute care of the child in collaboration with other health care professionals with attention to principles of ethics, advocacy for the child and family, and an understanding of varying constructs of culture.
Resources
Policies
While University faculty and staff members give students academic advice and assistance, each student is expected to take responsibility for his or her education and personal development. The student must know and abide by the academic and disciplinary policies given in the catalog and MSN handbook, including rules governing quantity of work, the standard of work required to continue in the University, scholastic probation and dismissal, and enforced withdrawal.
Students will not be relieved of their responsibility to know the policies, deadlines and rules of the University on the grounds that they were not told. If students have questions regarding policies, it is the University’s expectation that the student will consult his/her academic advisor for guidance and resolution.
All students are expected to be familiar with the following sources of information.
Course Load
Graduate nursing education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and completing clinicals and other course work. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the MSN/PMC program and adjust accordingly. Commitments which compete with graduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.
Study Time Recommendations
In general, for every-one graduate nursing semester credit hour of enrollment a student should allocate 5 hours of study time outside of class. For example, a 3 semester credit hours course, may reasonably require 15 hours of work, outside of class, plus anytime needed to complete clinicals.
Employment Recommendations
It is recommended that a student’s employment not exceed 16-20 hours per week in either regular or summer semesters. Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.
Tuition
Academic Calendar
Students should review the academic calendar prior to enrolling and prepare accordingly.
Students Success
MSN Student Success resources are available to all students achieving academic success at UT Arlington. Our dedicated faculty make every effort to assist students in meeting their academic goals across a wide variety of subject areas.
UTA CONHI is unique among many comparable universities for the remarkable amount of resources dedicated to student success. Learn more about our offerings on help with courses and writing/speaking.
Academic Advising
Students in the MSN program are welcome to meet with an advisor. Once admitted to UT Arlington, students may enroll in their coursework using the degree plan provided by the academic advisor and proceed to registration. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor with any questions. Learn more about Graduate Nursing Advising.
UTA's Department of Graduate Nursing is unique among many comparable universities for the remarkable amount of resources dedicated to student success. Learn more about our offerings on help with courses and writing/speaking.